“We add only a small amount when we sell,” the woman went on; “you see, light and rent and such things, as well as a profit or else we could not be here.”
“It's only fair,” Saxon agreed.
Amongst the beautiful stuff Saxon went over, she found a nightgown and a combination undersuit of her own manufacture. For the former she had received eight dollars from Mercedes, it was marked eighteen, and the woman had paid fourteen; for the latter Saxon received six, it was marked fifteen, and the woman had paid eleven.
“Thank you,” Saxon said, as she drew on her gloves. “I should like to bring you some of my work at those prices.”
“And I shall be glad to buy it... if it is up to the mark.” The woman looked at her severely. “Mind you, it must be as good as this. And if it is, I often get special orders, and I'll give you a chance at them.”
Mercedes was unblushingly candid when Saxon reproached her.
“You told me you took only a commission,” was Saxon's accusation.
“So I did; and so I have.”
“But I did all the work and bought all the materials, yet you actually cleared more out of it than I did. You got the lion's share.”
“And why shouldn't I, my dear? I was the middleman. It's the way of the world. 'Tis the middlemen that get the lion's share.”